How Objective Are You When It Comes To Your Favourite Bands?

Question

Does your love of certain bands/musicians ever distort your opinion of their music? Are their albums by your favourite bands that you probably wouldn't like if released by someone else, but your affinity for them makes up what the music lacks?

I know for my part that in the past I've overlooked flawed albums and bad songs, simply because I loved a certain band so much, one example being "Get Behind Me Satan" by The White Stripes. Nowadays, however, I find that I'm more aware of the weak links in a bands back catalogue.

How about you?

Answer 1

Good question!

I try to be as objective as I possibly can with ALL artists.

That's why there are songs I like by artists that I otherwise can't stand (a prime example - "Unforgiven" by Metallica. I can't stand Metallica, but I've always liked this song.), and songs I hate by artists I love ("Halloween" by Dave Matthews Band).

I will, however, cut some slack to artists I like to see if their new material will grow on me in any way, but at the end of the day, if it sucks, it sucks, and I won't listen to it.

Answer 2

I actually do the opposite, I'm very harsh on my favorite bands. If a band like Oasis made Pablo Honey, I would probably be in love with it and saying it's Oasis' best album. But Radiohead did it and it pales in comparison with Kid A and OK Computer. Same with Yes. 90125 is not as bad as a album as I put it out to be, it's actually pretty decent. But it's the idea that Yes made it and they had the potential to make so much better music that makes the album seem even worse than it really is.
For me, I think I always compare a band's work to their other work and not to the work of other bands.

EDIT:
conie: Steven Wilson IS flawless, everything he touch turns to pure musical genius. Thom Yorke, however does have some flaws.
No wait... I take back the Steven Wilson thing, I don't like Fear of a Blank Planet (the song). Thats it.

Answer 3

Honestly, I feel that I'm as objective as they come. If an album sucks, I don't give artists a free pass based on past history. Especially over the last three years, I've seen a number of bands that I automatically consider personal favorites put out weak efforts. It doesn't get much worse than the last two albums by NIN. Korn put out a tepid release this year, proving they miss Head a lot more than first realized. It pains me to admit this but AFI - Decemberunderground is confusing the masses as to what genre they belong to now. Either way, that album didn't sound like hardcore punk anymore.

Answer 4

I'm never objective when I have to express my opinion about my favourite band. It's really hard for me to accept critics from other people that don't like them. I think it's quite normal, at certain age everyone looks for the idols, and sometimes it is really difficult to realize that your favorite band/singer can have some flaws or not to be the best band/singer ever existed! The good thing is that it's a transient condition, it can last a couple of weeks or a couple of years as it happened to me with Depeche Mode, and as it is happening now with Muse (btw I'm used to writing "Muse: best band ever" even though I know it's quite subjective), but this music passion is an important part of my life, it's cool to be a "fan"!

Answer 5

I don't really like to have favorite bands for that reason, instead there are a few bands that I listen to a majority of the time. I tend to be really picky with my music, and I can and will find something that I don't like about a certain band. Although I try to be open and appreciate all of their music, there are just some cases that are unforgivable. No band is perfect and I won't make it seem like they are, even if I like them a lot.

Answer 6

No. An obvious example is Metallica. No need to explain. Led Zeppelin...their penultimate album was good (but not on par with the ones before), but their last album was okay at best. The Beatles had Yellow Submarine, which was not as good as what they released before and after. Ramones had a good run for five albums, and then it became love or hate with them. Judas Priest as well, with a good deal of their 80's commercial albums.

I won't let certain albums destroy my affection for my favorite bands though. I disregard the bad albums.

Answer 7

no way, i don't overlook major flaws just because they're my favorite band.

one example is the smashing pumpkins' newest album.
now, keep in mind, i have been a very hardcore SP fan since siamese dream came out.

but i must say, with the exception of a few songs, that album sucks.

so, no, my love doesn't distort my views.

if a band makes a lousy move, even though i love them, i'll be the first to tell you.

Answer 8

Of Course
I love very nearly ever song ever recorded by
Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
Black Sabbath
Deep Purple
Hawkwind
Neil Young
&
Blue Oyster Cult
(My Top 7 Bands/Artists) But does that mean their all 5 Star?
Nope

Answer 9

I try to be objective.
I listen to each new album a few times to get a fair view of each song. It sometimes takes a few listens for a song to prove itself to me.

For the most part, I will be the first to say a song is awful. There are a handful of weak songs that I still like, but I do know where to draw the line.

Answer 10

I do attempt to be objective approximately all of them. i do no longer idolise any of my favourites, and that i'm nicely conscious that everybody has faults, some greater obtrusive than others. For question a million, besides the shown fact that I easily have 10 equivalent wide-unfold bands and artists, i'm unlikely to furnish an answer for all of them. this is no longer using a loss of objectivity, yet merely considering for a number of them, i do no longer understand sufficient to show screen of any unfavorable features, or can no longer think of of any... MQ1 : Fleetwood Mac : They did complicated drugs. Lindsey could no longer continually save his stresses off degree, and behaved unprofessionally. the total band spent money like water, and lived to extra. Stevie Nicks : She replaced into addicted to cocaine, then prescription pills. She has difficulty being objective! Jethro Tull : Ian Anderson smokes. that isn't sound like plenty, yet i'm no longer a smoker, and that i do no longer think of this is stable for a singer {Stevie Nicks extensively utilized to smoke}. Blackmore's night : they do no longer excursion Britain sufficient! Led Zeppelin : Lived the 'rock 'n' roll existence type' ~ putting a bad occasion. i comprehend it replaced into all 'of the time', yet bands do no longer could behave like that. Sandy Denny : She did drugs and had an alcohol concern, which finally introduced approximately her loss of life. regrettably, the two have been brought about by way of a mix of low vanity, and the organisation she saved {she replaced right into a eating buddy of John Bonham and Keith Moon}. MQ2 : i'm going to ascertain and settle for every person's critisim of my favourites, as long as this is a functional remark. after all, love of track is somewhat all very own opinion. What I mean is, insulting the way the singer sings, or the age of the band {"they are previous!"} is a pathetic assertion. yet while this is approximately something the band contributors have completed, or the crapiness of a undeniable track, then i'm going to pay attention them out. after all, i'm going to commonly be the 1st to assert while i think of one in each and every of my favourites' songs is rubbish, or if i'm no longer inspired with something they have completed of their existence. i'm going to have made comments approximately a number of my favourites songs in MQ1, yet no remember if or no longer you like a track is subjective... BQ : exciting question :)